Crazy Ride Alert: 1965 BMW 1800 TI Pickup Hits the Auction Block!
Two rare, vintage BMW pickup trucks, supposedly produced 60 years ago, allegedly exist. One of these unique vehicles is currently available for purchase.
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Ever seen a BMW pickup truck? You're about to get a load of one, oh boy! This thing's rare enough to make your jaw drop - it's a Neue Klasse rendition, all decked out in an M livery! Bet you didn't know you needed this in your life, huh? Check it out on Car & Classic, where bidding's already started!
This beauty we're talking about is a 1965 BMW 1800 TI, one of the sportier models rocking an Alpina-tuned M10 four-cylinder engine. Shoutout to those dual Solex PHH carburetors and even higher compression pistons, 'cause that baby pumps out a whopping 110 horsepower – 20 more than the average sedan! Now, here's where it gets interesting, right? One creative dealership had the brilliant idea to convert these horses into service vehicles, ordering a pair for the sole purpose of towing heavy toolboxes and spare parts.
But wait, there's more! Although the exact dealer's identity remains shrouded in mystery, we can thank France for this gem. And if you look closely at one of the interior shots, you'll spot a badge on the glovebox door that belongs to a BMW garage in Clermont-Ferrand.
As for the ride itself, it's an oddball, even for its day. Although it still has the sedan's rear doors, they open to the midsection of the bed, making it more like a single-cab truck with a massive trunk, or a coupe with a surprisingly long cargo area, depending on how you look at it. That bed is fully covered and accessible via a conventional trunk lid, with a removable partition for added convenience.
Behold the racks finished in BMW blue, waiting to carry all that extra cargo! Lift that false floor in the trunk, and you'll find a spare tire, as well as a hitch on the back, reinforcing the vehicle's dealership duties.
So, was this 1800 TI really factory-converted to a truck in good 'ol Munich? Without any supporting documentation, it's hard to tell. But one thing's for sure - this ute's days of hauling heavy toolboxes and spare parts are long gone. Now, it's destined to be the coolest conversation starter at any BMW or vintage car dealer!
The auction's ending on June 22, but no estimate or reserve price has been listed yet. Keep your eyes peeled and your wallet ready, because this is one unique piece of automotive history you won't want to miss!
Tips? Send 'em to us!
Sources: [1][2][3][4][5]
History:BMW 1800 TI pickups are exceptionally rare, Bristols belonging to BMW's Neue Klasse series. With only two of these vehicles known to exist, this ride's a true collector's item! Although the story behind these pickups is murky, it's believed they were once used as service vehicles by a French BMW dealership[2][5].
Details:- Model: 1965 BMW 1800 TI Pickup- Engine: 1773cc, tuned by Alpina- Transmission: Manual, 5-speed- Mileage: Approximately 39,000 miles (or almost 63,000 km)[2]- Condition: The vehicle's condition is reported as questionable, but it's road-legal, comes with some original tools, and sports a non-matching sheet metal spare[2]- Configuration: This is one of only two known models in this configuration, making it incredibly rare[2][5]
Estimated Price:The exact estimated price for this auction isn't mentioned, but given its rarity and historical significance, experts predict it'll fetch a high price. With its exclusivity and impressive backstory, it's bound to draw a crowd of eager bidders[2][5].
Auction Details:The auction is underway on Car & Classic[2]. Another auction listing mentions a starting price of €350, but don't get confused - this ain't the oh-so-rare BMW 1800 TI pickup auction we're talking about[3].
This one-of-a-kind 1965 BMW 1800 TI pickup, originally intended for dealership duties, will undoubtedly shake up the automotive industry, transforming not only the lifestyle of its future owner but also sparking trend-setting conversations in the finance and transportation sectors. With the auction happening on Car & Classic, car enthusiasts and collectors alike must prioritize car-maintenance to ensure their wallets are ready for this historic bid.
